The Council of the Unions New South Wales adopted a motion, Today in Sydney (Australia), supporting Saharawi people’s “struggle for freedom and independence”, and condemned the Moroccan human rights violations in Western Sahara.

The Council received the Secretary General of the Saharawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union, Malainin Lakhal, as a guest speaker to the Council. In his speech the Saharawi activist asked the Australian unions for firm and increasing support to the Saharawi people in their struggle for self-determination.

With regard to the motion, it “strongly condemns the gross violations of human rights carried out by the Moroccan regime against Saharawis, including students, workers and human rights activists in the occupied areas”.

It further, “formally requests the ACTU and the Federal Labor Party to press the Federal Government to vote at the UN Fourth Committee and General Assembly in favour of resolutions supporting the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and to ask Australian companies to put an end to the illegal exploitation of Western Sahara natural resources through deals made with Morocco.”

On the other hand, the Saharawi activist also thanked Unions NSW for the support they granted him, in terms of the support they provided Australia Western Sahara Association with to make Malainin Lakhal’s two month’s tour to Australia and New Zeeland possible.

He expressed “thanks and gratitude for Comrade John Robertson, Unions NSW Secretary, for his constant support and solidarity to our cause”.

In his response, the Secretary General of the Unions NSW, John Robertson, reiterated his Unions’ support to the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi people for independence, and condemned the flagrant human rights abuses committed by the Moroccan State against the Saharawi people.

It should be recalled that the Unions NSW is a union for unions with over 67 affiliated unions representing over 800,000 workers in New South Wales.

Malainin Lakhal’s speaking tour in Australia has been supported by many unions such as the ACTU, Unions NSW, Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, Australian Services Union, United Services Union, Maritime Union of Australia, Australian Workers’ Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Community and Public Sector Union, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, International Federation of Journalists, and Unions Western Australia.

Here is the complete text of the motion adopted by the Unions New South Wales:------------------------------------- MotionLabor Council/ Unions NSWJune 28, 2007

“Unions NSW expresses its support and solidarity with the Saharawi people in their struggle for freedom and independence. Unions NSW, strongly condemns the gross violations of human rights carried out by the Moroccan regime against Saharawis, including students, workers and human rights activists in the occupied areas.

Unions NSW urges affiliates to extend assistance to the independence movement the Polisario Front through coordinated efforts of the Trade Union movement.

Further Unions NSW formally requests the ACTU and the Federal Labor Party to press the Federal Government to vote at the UN Fourth Committee and General Assembly in favour of resolutions supporting the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and to ask Australian companies to put an end to the illegal exploitation of Western Sahara natural resources through deals made with Morocco.”